NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Police on Thursday confirmed the winter storm death toll in Davidson County has once again risen.
The latest death, confirmed by Metro Nashville Police, was a 92-year-old man who was found in his home on Blank Street on Wednesday. A police spokesperson said that the man had a generator powering a small heater with an extension cord.
When a family member went to check on him, they found the generator was not running and that it was roughly 47 degrees inside the home.
When the man was found, his home was roughly 47 degrees inside.
Nashville Fire Department Director Chief William Swann said in a press conference on Thursday afternoon that the death marks the fourth potential storm-related death in Davidson County. However, the death was not included in the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s 8 p.m. update. The agency says it still has only confirmed three weather-related fatalities in Davidson County and overall, that there are 12 confirmed fatalities in the state from the storm.
“Please, when you’re using warming devices, a generator must be used outdoors,” Swann said.
The other three deaths include:
- A woman in her 90s was transported to Vanderbilt on Monday morning from her assisted living facility after it lost power. She had reportedly fallen and was found by staff.
- A 46-year-old woman was found mid-morning on Monday near the intersection of Lindell and Wedgewood Avenues. She was declared deceased at the scene and it appeared as though she may have slid down a small hill.
- A 39-year-old man died from a generator at his home on Premier Drive. When his roommates got home on Tuesday afternoon, they heard the generator running near the victim’s bed and found him unresponsive. He was transported to Vanderbilt, where he was pronounced deceased. The first responding officer to the scene reported there was a strong odor of fumes and it is believed the victim may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
The official causes of death for these cases are still pending with the Medical Examiner’s office.
The latest confirmation marks the 14th fatality due to the weekend storm.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported an increase on Wednesday to 13, which includes two people in Cheatham County, two in Hardin, two in Obion and one each in Haywood, Henderson, Hickman and Knox Counties. There were only three confirmed Davidson County deaths at that time.
While the cause of death for the 92-year-old man is not known at this time and no details were provided about how long it had been since anyone was in contact with him, Nashville Fire Director Chief William Swann said the fatality underscores the importance of generator safety.
“Please, when you’re using warming devices, a generator must be used outdoors,” he said at Thursday’s press conference.
He also said that the department has received reports of people making “homemade heating devices.”
“I know if you look at social media — TikTok and these things — it gives you a lot of helpful hints to stay warm in your house,” he said. “And I’m sure for someone who doesn’t have power, it’s difficult to ignore that. … Just remember about ventilation and carbon monoxide: You cannot see it, you cannot smell it, but it’s a deadly gas and it can kill you.”
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